UNIT 13 Impact of Technologies on an Organisation 3 Cost-Benefit Analysis
A cost-benefit analysis is where you list the costs and the benefits associated with technology and then decide if it is worthwhile.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Technology Costs
1. Updating computers costs money and disposing of computers has environmental consequences.
2. Training staff to use this technology is a cost.
3. Ensuring that all data is backed up correctly may take time.
4. Preventing hackers or viruses requires purchasing anti-virus equipment.
5. The reduction in staff may result in redundancy payments.
Know It!
Remember a computer is an asset. An asset is something of monetary value.
Example
Minizone is a company that produces miniature guitars along with music lessons. It is an enterprising product and service by the musician and entrepreneur Stephen McHale. Minizone makes use of technology in the following ways:
1. Application programs: Stephen uses Microsoft Word for typing documents and PowerPoint for creating and giving presentations.
He also uses Excel for calculations with spreadsheets. Spreadsheets contain rows and columns, where you can add formulae to do various calculations. He finds spreadsheets an invaluable tool for doing accounts such as a cash budget (planned cash in and planned cash out), income statement (profit/loss for the year) and statement of financial position (list of assets and liabilities at a particular date). He realises the importance of financial planning and also uses spreadsheets to work out break-even (where a company is making neither a profit nor a loss) and look at ‘what if’ scenarios: ‘What if
the business reduced the price of their guitars by 10% and added a free gift costing €1?’ This, in turn, helps the company decide if it should go ahead with a change in pricing.
235 Benefits 1. Technology saves time and energy.
2. There are savings on postage/ administration/travel as most communication is now online.
3. Bills/invoices are sent faster.
4. Technology provides an efficient way of contacting customers and potential customers about promotions.
5. It saves in labour costs/workers.
Know It!
Technology has financial costs, environmental costs and social costs.
Research It!
After you read about Minizone, apply it to an organisation of your choice.